By; Patrick Titus, Uyo.
Akwa Ibom state government has put smiles on the faces of over 5,000 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) by donating items worth millions of naira as part of activities marking the 2016 international day of persons with disabilities in the state.
The event which took place at the women development centre in Uyo, the state capital, has as its theme: “Achieving 17 goals for the future we want.”
Among the items distributed include crutches, saloon accessories, wheel chairs, Braille machines, special shoes, financial empowerment and start-up packs to trained artisans as part of government empowerment programme to PWDs.
It also announced the award of scholarships to the brilliant ones studying in tertiary institutions in the state.
In her address on occasion, the commissioner for women affairs and social welfare, Dr. Glory Edet said government gesture was aimed at “taking Akwa Ibom people out of the disability biases and barriers to the land of togetherness and inclusion.”
According to her, the Governor has visibly charted a new course with a turnaround in the lives of all persons with disabilities in order to secure a better future for the generation of Akwa Ibomites unborn.
She implored all PWDs to make good use of government gesture to live their dreams and contribute their quota to the development of a better society for all.
“Let us therefore, work together for the full and equal participation of Persons with Disabilities in an inclusive and sustainable world that embraces humanity in all its diversity”, she urges the people of the state.
She stated that the observance of the day of PWDs is at aimed at promoting the understanding of disability issues, mobilising concerted advocacy and support for the dignity, right and wellbeing of persons with disabilities.
Reacting to the gesture, some of the PWDs expressed the happiness to the state government for the empowerment programme but requested for the quick passage of the bill on the improving the condition of PWDs currently before the state house of assembly to make them live a fruitful life devoid of all forms of discrimination.
